MLPA vs SPY
Global X MLP ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MLPA or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MLPA led over 1Y and 5Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MLPA | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.77% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.04% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 22 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +24.78%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +26.55%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.23% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.67%Best | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.2% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,543Best | $18,205 |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2012 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.4 years).
MLPA vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 14.4 years both funds cover.
MLPA vs SPY Performance
Global X MLP ETF (MLPA) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MLPA returned +26.55% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, MLPA is up 24.78% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, MLPA compounded at +18.23% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.67% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.16% annualized vs -0.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.3% compared with 14.1% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -86.2% for MLPA and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPA charges 0.77% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $77 vs $9 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPA currently yields 7.04% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of SPY's money is in holdings MLPA also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for MLPA, our book for it lists positions totalling 109.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 20 positions we hold weights for in MLPA and 504 in SPY, against full books of 22 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MLPA | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKEOneok Inc. | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MLPA and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MLPA or SPY?
MLPA has an expense ratio of 0.77% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPA or SPY?
Over the past year MLPA returned +26.55% vs +17.48% for SPY, so MLPA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MLPA annualized -0.22% vs +13.16% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPA or SPY?
MLPA has been the more volatile fund at 26.3% annualized versus 14.1% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MLPA -86.2% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both MLPA and SPY?
MLPA and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPA or SPY?
MLPA yields 7.04% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MLPA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MLPA?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MLPA led over 1Y and 5Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.